Akkadese Maelstrom

A mass of matter in the Kessel sector surrounding the planet of the same name. It includes interstellar gas, carbon chunks, pieces of ice, and other large debris, and the formation itself is often called simply the Maelstrom.

Inside the Maelstrom lies the Maw cluster, and huge summa-verminoth creatures live in the cloud itself. Among the areas marked on maps are the Channel, the Corkscrew, the Pit, the Wells, and a place called Pilot's End; these names reflect the danger of passing through certain parts of the cluster.

The route laid through the Maelstrom is known as the Kessel Run. It passes near the planet Oba Diah, which served as the home base of the Pyke Syndicate.